Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Romney helps GOP Senators (Boston Globe)

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor November 11, 2008 02:49 PM

Mitt Romney is coming to the aid of two fellow Republicans still locked in election battles that could determine the shape of the US Senate, urging his supporters to donate to their campaigns.

Through his Free and Strong America political action committee, Romney is featuring Senators Saxby Chambliss of Georgia and Norm Coleman of Minnesota.

Chambliss faces a runoff next month with Democrat Jim Martin, after neither won a majority in a three-way race last week. Coleman is in a recount with Democrat Al Franken after a bitter, nasty campaign.

Counting independents Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Democrats will control 57 votes in the Senate that is sworn in in January. They need 60 for a potentially filibuster-proof majority to help push through President-elect Barack Obama's priorities, with the race in Alaska also still up for grabs.

Romney created the PAC after losing out for the Republican presidential nomination as a vehicle to support Republicans and keep his name in the mix for a possible run in 2012.